Staircase

So browsing quickly at photos from when we first lived here, I believe this is a great picture to show what the staircase (and even the surrounding areas) looked like.

I love this picture because it still showed the wall to the left (which was removed summer of 2012) and the maze of walls and doors to the right that are also gone.  If you look to the top of the stairs, you'll even see the rounded wall that used to be there!

This picture is great because it shows how the staircase has been for over a year.  Yes, over a year!  And this woman dealt with it....children and all!

Top of the staircase.  If you're wondering why it's all painted white, it's because hubby thought it wasn't necessary to cover up the staircase while they sprayed because we were going to replace anyway.  Well, I was pretty irritated over the fact that it stayed like this for OVER A YEAR because of this alone.  But now that we are finally replacing it, I can finally put this all behind me.  ;-)

And "IT" is beginning.....again.

Finish sanding the new treads.

The rare bit that led Jay to Strum, Wisconsin to find.

Setting up to run the nosing.

Some of the material.

Pretty newel posts.  :-)

Balusters

A ton of prep work before all the prettiness begins!

WOWZA!  Treads and risers are on.  It looks so pretty already!  If you're wondering what the rectangle boxes that are cut out on the risers, that is for the light-censored night lights Jay will install.

Balusters pre-drilled for dowels.

Drilling balusters with the doweling jig.

Routering treads for the key locks.

Key lock to anchor the newel post.

Key lock to anchor the newel posts.

Look!  We have railings! 

The balusters are going in.  I think I'm going to likey like!  Love the contrast with the dark wood and the white!

Once again, ripping up some more floor upstairs.  This time, Carter wanted to help.  Yes, he really wanted to!

More floor gone.

Floor gone and upstairs balusters and railings removed!

It's getting closer and closer.....minor details remaining.

South-side Porch

We were just going to add a railing to the steps and decided to just replace the south-side porch.  Most of the boards came off just by pulling them out.  Yeah....I'm pretty sure it NEEDED to be replaced!

It's all gone!  Time to start anew.

Completed now, with the exception of hiding the bottom section.  I think I'll still keep the husband for a while yet.  :-)  He does nice work!  Jay also had another helpful conversation with our friend, Norb, over at Modern Builders & Suppliers in Wausau.  Thanks, Norb!

Until next time.....

February 21, 2013

Just a little bit behind, aren't I?  We're closing in on the first phase being complete.  The later part of 2012, we added some fixtures in the downstairs bathroom and added another arch between the two rooms on the south side of the house.  Recently, we had some more electric work completed.  See pictures below.

Downstairs bathroom just about finished. 
(Although this picture doesn't show it, the outlets and switches to the left are also completed.)

* * *

The next few pictures show how handy Jay can be.  Tell him I want an arch, and voila.....he's working on it! (Wish it would work that way all the time!)

Moistening the drywall for the arch.

Preparing the drywall for installation using his head....lol

Almost finished....just need to trim it out.





Installing the wall sconces upstairs
Scooby is supervising.  :-)

One of 5 wall sconces located in upstairs hallway.  Aren't they pretty?

Upstairs hallway, north wall.



Upstairs hallway, south wall; shows the last two sconces.

There are now two outside lights in the front entry. 

A little at a time, but that's okay.  In the end, it doesn't matter how long it took because it'll look exactly how we want it.  "Good things come to those who wait." 

Until next time,